If the last 3 episodes challenged you, good. Growth starts there. I believe this lesson might hit even harder.
The client was someone I knew well. I had worked with them for years.
They called me in a panic, an IRS notice had arrived, penalties were piling up, and they needed the return filed now.
I had everything ready. The only thing missing was their sign-off.
They were overwhelmed. Busy. Distracted. “Just go ahead and file,” they said casually.
So I did.
I filed the return without their explicit, written approval after they reviewed it. Not because I was careless, but because I cared. Because I wanted to protect them.
But here’s what I learned the hard way:
Good intentions don’t protect your license. Compliance does.
Be compassionate, however do not allow compliance to suffer because of compassion.
No matter how close you are to the client, how urgent the situation, or how clear the work may seem, filing without approval is a risk you cannot afford. The client may appreciate it in the moment, but if something goes wrong, you will be the one holding the liability.
The client will forget. The CPA board won’t.
Here’s the truth: you are not your client’s savior.
Your role is to serve from expert point of view, guide, advise, and protect, not bypass protocol in the name of kindness.
That experience taught me a very important lesson. I no longer let compassion cloud my judgment. I set clear expectations from the beginning: No return gets filed without written approval after review. Period. I explain why, I stand firm, and I let process lead. Because in the work we do, protecting your client also means protecting yourself.
Caring for your clients must never come at the cost of compliance.
Compliance isn’t optional. Even when intentions are pure, process is the only protection you have. When you ignore it, even once, you expose yourself to professional liability, ethical violations, and possible disciplinary action.
Lesson 4 drops tomorrow. Don’t miss it.
Book your free 15 minutes clarity session today: 757-977-8911 or email [email protected]
If we haven’t met,
I am Dr. Lilly Mbinglo, CPA,
❤️Daddy YONGKA’s Nyomshiliv,
💃🏾Abakwa’s FINEST and SMARTEST CPA,
💸Tax Strategist and Tax Alchemist Extraordinaire,
👩🏽💼Regent University MBA Professor,
I serve through The Ark NPS, a full-service Accounting Firm, where we provide Accounting services, Bookkeeping, Payroll, Tax Preparation, Planning, Resolution and Consulting, as well as Startup services to Individuals, Businesses and Nonprofits.
Let’s Connect!
#cpa #cpafirm #taxaccountant
